Video Editor

The news that Wu Yingxiong was "invited" out of Yanjing in a disheveled state did not cause much of a stir within the Red Flag Army.

After all, the Red Flag Army didn't have many self-proclaimed rational surrenderers, and Su Ning's will could be instilled in them from top to bottom.

For the vast majority of soldiers, whether it was the Heaven and Earth Society's "overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming" or Wu Sangui's "rule by dividing the Yangtze River," they were nothing more than the lingering echoes of the old era's death throes.

Their belief in following Coach Su and unifying China could not be shaken at all.

Su Ning's rebuke of Wu Yingxiong in the Wuying Hall greatly boosted the morale of the troops.

However, while criticism is warranted, it must be given sufficient strategic attention.

The Jiangnan region is characterized by its dense network of waterways, strong city defenses, the remaining military strength of the Three Feudatories, and deeply entrenched local forces, making it far superior to the northern plains, which could be easily swept away.

Crossing the river will be a completely new challenge for the Red Flag Army.

The Central Military Council of China.

In front of the enormous Jiangnan sand table, a constellation of generals gathered.

Su Ning stood in the main seat, with A Fu standing quietly beside him. The commanders and chiefs of staff of the various field armies, as well as the commanders of the newly formed navy, were all gathered together.

"Gentlemen," Su Ning said bluntly, pointing heavily at the Yangtze River, "the north is now pacified. The next step is to cross the Yangtze and unify all of China! Wu Sangui's idea of ​​dividing the country along the river is a pipe dream! But we must also be soberly aware that crossing the river to fight is by no means an easy task!"

"The Yangtze River is a natural barrier, unlike the Yellow River. The enemy has a naval advantage and has been fortifying its defenses on the south bank for many years. Our advantage lies in firepower, discipline, and morale, but the key to this battle is how to project this force to the south of the Yangtze River and deploy it effectively!"

Chief of Staff 002 (AI) then spoke, his voice calm and clear: "Based on current intelligence analysis, the river-crossing operation requires solving three major problems: ferries, the enemy navy, and the beachhead positions on the south bank. Therefore, the General Staff has decided as follows:"

"The first task force to be formed is the Crossing the Yangtze River Campaign Group. It will be composed of elite troops drawn from various field armies and supplemented with newly trained units, forming a main force of 200,000 troops to cross the Yangtze River. It will be temporarily named the 'Southward Field Army'. The General Commander will personally serve as the commander-in-chief of the group."

Second, strengthen naval and river-crossing training. Naval units are ordered to intensify drills, familiarize themselves with river hydrology, and practice coordinated operations with the army. Simultaneously, all participating army units must immediately conduct targeted training in high-intensity river crossing and landing, waterborne firing, and beachhead assaults! The environment of the Yangtze River will be simulated using the rivers and lakes north of the river.

"Third, collect and build ferries. Order the engineering corps and logistics departments to collect civilian boats extensively along the north bank of the river at all costs. At the same time, make use of existing shipyards and resources to build large ferries and pontoon bridge components day and night! This is the material foundation for crossing the river and must be given priority!"

"Fourth, stockpiling supplies and intelligence gathering: the logistics department needs to select several key troop deployment points and supply distribution centers on the north bank of the river to stockpile sufficient ammunition, food, and medicine. The intelligence department needs to intensify its reconnaissance efforts on the enemy's troop deployment, firepower configuration, and commander characteristics on the south bank, especially the movements of Wu Sangui's and other Three Feudatories' armies!"

Once the order was issued, the entire area controlled by the Red Flag Army, especially the north bank of the Yangtze River, was instantly transformed into a massive military camp and construction site.

Under the cold commands of the AI ​​instructors, the new recruits practiced armed swimming, boarding order, and stable shooting on board again and again.

The veterans focused on practicing tactical deployment after the beach landing and the coordinated destruction of enemy fortifications by infantry and artillery.

The training intensity is extremely high, and casualty targets are allowed to be appropriately increased, all for the sake of actual combat!
Countless civilian ships were requisitioned for reinforcement and modification.

In the newly built shipyard, the lights were on, and the craftsmen were working hard to build flat-bottomed ferries that were more suitable for transporting troops and providing fire support, according to the simplified blueprints provided by the Red Flag Army.

The engineers repeatedly tested various plans for constructing pontoon bridges.

Weapons and ammunition produced by arsenals across the country, and grain transported from granaries in the Central Plains, were continuously sent to several large warehouses pre-positioned on the Jiangbei front.

Hidden transportation routes were opened up one after another.

Su Ning and his generals studied the sand table day and night, deducing all sorts of possibilities.

The selection of crossing points, the coordination between the main attack and the feint attack, how to deal with the enemy navy's interception, and how to quickly consolidate and expand the beachhead positions...

Every detail was carefully considered.

"Our advantage lies in our organizational and firepower projection capabilities that are ahead of their time," Su Ning emphasized at a meeting. "At the beginning of the crossing of the river, we must concentrate an absolute superiority of troops and artillery to achieve breakthroughs at key points! Once the landing is successful, we must drive in firmly like nails, and then rapidly expand to the flanks and depth!"

Two hundred thousand troops, like a sharp sword about to be drawn, silently honed their edge on the north bank of the Yangtze River.

The river wind blew, fluttering the red dragon flag and bringing a subtle sense of tension to the south bank.

A large-scale amphibious operation that will determine the ultimate fate of China is about to begin on this ancient river.

The last barrier to the unification of China is facing an unprecedented test.

……

Preparations were carried out with a high degree of secrecy and efficiency.

While Wu Sangui in Jiangnan was still furious that his proposal to "divide the country along the river" had been rejected, and while the remnants of the Qing army and the forces of the Three Feudatories in various places were still suspicious of each other and busy fighting for territory, the Red Flag Army on the north bank had already completed its final battle deployment.

Autumn, 1672, on the Yangtze River, before dawn.

A thick fog shrouded the river, reducing visibility to extremely low levels.

On the north bank, countless dark figures moved silently.

Tens of thousands of Red Flag Army soldiers had already entered the departure position according to the predetermined plan.

Large and small boats were densely packed together in the reed marshes and makeshift, hidden harbors, fully loaded with heavily armed soldiers and support artillery.

Su Ning personally visited the forward command post. Through his binoculars, he could only see a hazy river surface and a blurry outline of the opposite bank.

He put down his binoculars and said in a deep voice to the messenger beside him, "Order all units to begin operations according to the first plan."

At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the fog began to dissipate.

Three red signal flares suddenly shot into the sky, breaking the silence of dawn!

"Cross the river!"

The order was quickly transmitted across the north bank via flag signals, horns, and rudimentary electronic communication equipment!
"Quick! Board the ship!"

"Check your weapons! Keep quiet!"

The pent-up action erupted instantly!
Countless soldiers, like a flood bursting its banks, boarded various ships swiftly and in an orderly fashion.

The sounds of oars, the faint engine noise, and the ripples of water mingled together.

In the first wave of attacks, hundreds of ships of various sizes sped towards several designated landing points on the south bank like arrows released from a bow!

Almost simultaneously, the artillery positions pre-positioned on the north bank roared deafeningly!

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!" The artillery preparations have begun!

Shells rained down on the known enemy fortifications, artillery positions, and possible troop concentrations on the south bank like hailstones.

A towering flame and thick smoke rose from the opposite bank, and the enormous explosion could be clearly heard even in the middle of the river.

The defenders on the south bank were completely stunned by the sudden and fierce artillery fire and the overwhelming fleet of ships coming from the river!

Although they were on guard, they did not expect the Red Flag Army's offensive to be so fierce and concentrated!
"Enemy attack! The Red Flag Army has crossed the river!"

"Quickly! Open fire! Stop them!"

Sporadic artillery fire and dense arrows and musket bullets came from the south bank, hitting some ferries, sending wood chips flying, and soldiers falling into the water.

But the Red Flag Army's fleet did not stop at all, and the light and heavy machine guns and rifles on board began to return fire, suppressing the firepower on the shore.

The naval vessels charged forward at all costs, engaging in fierce firefights with the enemy's small warships that were trying to intercept them.

At 9:00 AM, the rising sun dispelled the thin mist, and the battlefield on the river became clearly visible.

After paying a considerable price, the first Red Flag Army assault team finally succeeded in landing on the beach!
"Establish a beachhead! Expand to the flanks!"

"Sappers! Clear the obstacles!" "Artillery observers, report the coordinates!"

The fierce battle for the beachhead has begun.

The Red Flag Army soldiers who landed relied on shell craters and makeshift fortifications to engage in fierce fighting with the counterattacking defenders.

Automatic weapons proved to be a huge advantage at close range, with grenades exploding one after another.

Meanwhile, more and more troops are continuously crossing the Yangtze River.

Braving a hail of bullets, the engineering corps began constructing a pontoon bridge across the river to allow heavy equipment and subsequent main forces to cross.

At noon, the breach was firmly held and continued to widen.

Su Ning received a report from the front lines at the command post: "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief! Our troops have successfully captured key points such as Qixia Mountain and Longtan, repelled multiple enemy counterattacks, and are advancing towards Jiangning Town!"

"Order the follow-up troops to speed up the crossing of the river! Heavy artillery units should cross the river as soon as possible to support the front-line assault! Target—Jiangning!" Su Ning decisively gave the order.

The ensuing battles unfolded in a rhythm familiar to the Red Flag Army.

With their powerful firepower and fearless assaults, the outer defenses were breached one by one.

That afternoon, the vanguard of the Red Flag Army had already reached the outskirts of Nanjing.

At this moment, Jiangning City was in chaos.

The main force of the defending army has suffered heavy losses in the battles along the river and in the surrounding areas, and the remaining forces have either fled or surrendered.

Before the Red Flag Army could launch a general offensive, the gates of Jiangning were opened from the inside by the garrison soldiers with ulterior motives and members of the Heaven and Earth Society who were secretly in contact with the enemy.

At three quarters past Shen time, the red dragon flag was planted on the city wall of Jiangning!
This city, known as the "ancient capital of six dynasties" and the "former capital of the Ming Dynasty," was finally liberated by the Red Flag Army after decades of Qing rule.

Surrounded by numerous generals and guards, Su Ning stepped into this city, which symbolizes the core of Jiangnan.

On both sides of the street, people were filled with fear, curiosity, and a hint of anticipation.

Looking at this well-disciplined, uniquely equipped army, unlike any other before, and at the red dragon flag fluttering in the wind, they understood that an era had truly come to an end.

Standing atop the city wall of Jiangning, I gazed at the mighty Yangtze River flowing eastward.

Taking Jiangning meant the complete shattering of Wu Sangui and others' illusions of separatist rule in southern China, and also tolled the death knell for all resistance forces in the south.

No one can stop the march toward unifying China.

Next, it swept through Suzhou and Hangzhou, conquered Zhejiang and Fujian, and reached the ends of the earth!

……

The recapture of Nanjing was not the end of the southward campaign, but a brand new beginning.

The smoke from the battle on the city walls had not yet dissipated, and the remains of the fallen soldiers were still being collected, but Su Ning and the command center of the "Southern Field Army" did not bask in the joy of victory for long.

On the huge battle map, the red arrow representing the Red Flag Army crossed the Yangtze River and covered Jiangning. Without pausing, it surged towards the wider Jiangnan land like a torrent that had broken free of its reins!

"Issue the order to the entire army!" Su Ning issued the unquestionable order from the frontline command post temporarily set up in the former Viceroy of Liangjiang's residence: "Pursue the victory! Give the enemy no chance to breathe!"

His finger swept quickly across the map: "First Legion, advance along the western side of Taihu Lake towards Zhenjiang, Changzhou, and Suzhou! Open up the passage to Songjiang Prefecture!"

"The Second Army Corps will march south to Wuhu and Xuancheng, then penetrate deep into western Zhejiang, threatening the flank of Hangzhou!"

"The Third Army Corps will advance eastward along the south bank of the Yangtze River, clear out the remaining enemy forces along the river, cooperate with the First Army Corps to capture key locations such as Jiangyin and Changshu, and prepare to enter the Taihu Lake basin!"

"The Fourth Army Corps is the reserve force, responsible for the defense of Jiangning and the clearing of the surrounding areas, and ready to be deployed to the main direction at any time!"

The orders were like mountains, and the 200,000 Red Flag Army soldiers, who had just experienced the fierce battle of crossing the Yangtze River and capturing Nanjing, demonstrated amazing resilience and discipline.

They barely had time to celebrate before they packed their bags again, checked their weapons and ammunition, and like war machines wound up tight, began a new frenzied advance toward their respective goals.

Speed ​​is of the essence in war; a swift and decisive victory is assured!

The remaining Qing troops in Jiangnan, as well as the Three Feudatories' army that had not yet completed its assembly and deployment, were completely stunned.

They originally thought that after the Red Flag Army captured Jiangning, it would take at least some time to digest the fruits of victory and stabilize local order.

But to everyone's surprise, the opponent's offensive was so continuous and so swift!
The Second Army Corps' cavalry and mechanized infantry advanced rapidly along the official road on the western route.

The defending troops in Wuhu, Xuancheng and other places often collapsed at the first contact, or even fled at the first sign of trouble.

The Red Flag Army was taking over cities at almost marching speed, its advance unstoppable, heading straight for Hangzhou.

The First and Third Army Corps on the eastern route, like two iron pincers, encircled the wealthy Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou region.

Faced with the overwhelming artillery fire and infantry assault of the Red Flag Army, the enemy forces that attempted to resist using waterways and towns appeared utterly powerless.

With the capture of important cities such as Changzhou and Wuxi, the road to Suzhou was opened.

The Red Flag Army's naval forces, advancing by both land and water, played an increasingly important role in the Yangtze River and the Taihu Lake area, which they were initially entering.

They transported troops, provided fire support, and cut off the enemy's waterborne communications, causing the enemy, who relied on water network defenses, to be overwhelmed.

On the battlefield, the situation was one-sided:

"Run! The Red Flag Army is attacking!"

"Surrender! We surrender!"

White flags were constantly being raised on the city walls and in the camps.

The routed Qing army and the soldiers of the Three Feudatories abandoned their armor and weapons, blocking the roads.

Faced with this situation, local former Qing officials and gentry made the most "wise" choice...

They either surrendered the city or fled south in panic with their valuables.

The entire Jiangnan region was plunged into unprecedented chaos and shock.

The Red Flag Army's frenzied offensive model, which disregarded the rear, the gains and losses of individual cities and territories, and aimed at annihilating the enemy's manpower and seizing strategic locations, completely overturned traditional concepts of warfare.

They were like an unstoppable torrent of iron, and wherever they went, the old ruling order crumbled.

On the official road from Jiangning to Suzhou, dust billowed and an endless torrent of red surged forward.

Standing on a small hill by the roadside, Su Ning, who was overseeing the battle, looked at the mighty army he had built with his own hands. There was no pity in his eyes, only cold determination.

Su Ning smiled meaningfully and said, "Speed ​​is life! We must crush all their wishful thinking and seize the most valuable core area before Wu Sangui and the others can react and form an effective defensive line!"

"Data models show that, based on the current pace of advance and the strength of enemy resistance, we expect to control the major cities in the Taihu Lake basin within fifteen days, and our forces will reach the outskirts of Hangzhou within a month," Chief of Staff 002 said with a relaxed expression.

Su Ning nodded, his gaze turning to the more expansive land to the southeast.

Jiangnan, this prosperous land of fish and rice, this flourishing place that has borne witness to countless poems and songs, is changing its colors at an unprecedented speed under the iron hooves of his army.

The unification of all of China is progressing irreversibly at this rapid pace.

...(End of chapter)